The Royals had a good showing but came up short in the final decision of Saturday's CVC contest at nationally-ranked Rutgers-Newark.  Eastern Mennonite lost 3-1 to the Scarlet Raiders for the second time this season.

Rutgers-Newark, ranked No. 4 in this week's AVCA national poll, held a slight edge most of the first set until EMU's 4-0 run tied it up at 20-20.  A couple of attack errors allowed the home team to put together a 3-0 run, opening the space to win 25-21.

The Royals scored the first point of the second set, but a 5-0 spurt by the Scarlet Raiders built what turned out to be an unsurmountable lead.  The men got within one a couple of times, but eventually lost 25-18 to fall into a 2-0 hole.

Things looked bleak early in the third as Rutgers-Newark led by as many as four points.  But a quick 7-1 run flipped EMU in front, 17-15.  The home team got the score tied at 20-20, and 21-21, but a back-to-back service aces from Colton Frey (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) rebuilt an edge as the Royals won 25-22.

The fourth set was a tight battle.  The Scarlet Raiders led by three until EMU scored three straight to tie it up.  The home team again had a short burst to rebuild a four-point edge, lasting to 20-16.  EMU scored the next three to stick in it, and notched ties at 22-22, 23-23 and 24-24.  But Rutgers-Newark had the final push with a kill and a solo block to win the day, 26-24.

Eastern Mennonite hit .261 for the match, while Rutgers-Newark was tough to stop at .377.  Setter Christian Taylor (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) put up a whopping 52 assists.

Scott Brigham (Montpelier, Va./Patrick Henry) tied for the match high with 16 kills, while Tim Callahan (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) added 15 with a .346 attack percentage.  Dan Lutz (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) racked up nine kills on just 12 swings and added five blocks.

Micah Buller (Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman) picked up nine digs.

Jack Fredricks hit .609 to lead Rutgers-Newark with 16 kills.

Eastern Mennonite falls to 9-9 overall and 3-5 in the CVC with the loss.  They sit a half game behind Juniata at 3-4 for the final spot in the four-team CVC Tournament.  EMU hosts the Eagles in what will be a make-or-break match on March 18.

The Royals head to Marymount in Arlington, Va., next Saturday for a tri-match.  After playing the Saints at noon, EMU takes on D-II Limestone at 2:00pm.